​I've been teaching in China for over five years, and though I don't consider myself an expert, I've definitely learned and grown immensely as an educator. I've had the opportunity to gain a lot of valuable experience teaching learners of all ages and levels, and learned a great deal about working in an international setting. To think of the strides I've made since the start of my career is astounding; when I first arrived I had no previous experience; in fact, I didn’t even know if I really wanted to teach!

Through my journey I've come to realize that teaching is an art that must be learned and perfected over time. In order to improve myself, I’ve taken note of the characteristics I feel are most vital for being an effective ESL Teacher in China.

Build Relationships

Teaching phonics in Chongqing, China

​One of the most important tools for me in my own teaching has always been to establish a personal relationship with my students. I learn their names, ask them about their family and interests, and in turn they also learn about me. I’m an open book to my students, and I find the more I share of myself, the more they are willing to share as well. Knowing your students on a personal level means that they start treating you like someone they care about, rather than just another teacher who is telling them what to do.​Teachers who genuinely care about their students have a higher impact on their learning. They can feel that you are teaching them because you want them to do well, not just because you’re performing a job. The more you inspire your students, the more apt they’ll be to complete assignments on time and participate in class activities. Generally speaking, I was able to get more out of students that I had a better relationship with. Plus, a classroom full of students who genuinely like and respect their is much more manageable. Some of the best teachers I have ever seen had a great relationship with their students—the students knew when it was time to be friendly and when it was time to be a student.

Encourage English in Daily Use

Class photo - say, "茄子!"

As ESL teachers we spend a lot of time and effort trying to get our students to use English in class. Sometimes it can be a daunting task, but it’s simply not enough for students to speak English for one or two hours per week. There’s a lot of vocabulary to remember, phrases to memorize, and grammar to understand. They also must practice outside class, at home, at school, and while doing activities—otherwise retention will suffer. This is directly related to building a relationship with the students. My best VIP students can do a 90-minute lesson without a word of Chinese, but they also are very comfortable with me, and we speak outside of class as well. My group class students aren’t as conversational with me, but they also each get a little less individualized attention.​Take the time and effort to talk to your students outside of class, or just before and after you teach them. Talk about something else besides class content, and use that time to get to know them better. Not only will their English improve, but so will the relationship between you, thereby accomplishing two important objectives.

Be Culturally Aware

How to say "Kumbaya" in Chinese?

I love it when my students are curious about my cultural background and want to know more. I feel great when they ask so many questions, and sometimes when they do it in class, we’ll speak in length about our different cultures. Sometimes it’s hard to believe most of my students are less than 13 years old—they have so many questions about the world. Just as much as I enjoy talking about my background, so do the students. And you’d be surprised at how often two students from the same class will see something in a different way. These conversations often arise organically during class, and it’s a great way to learn about the country you’re living in. Around holidays for example, it’s awesome to hear about what they’re doing, what they did last year and what traditions they follow in their family. Understanding which holidays are important to them also helps, it shows that you care and in turn they will, too.​Learning about the student’s ideas, and what they do before and after school can also help you plan for your classes better. For example, it helps to know that your student is tired not because he or she is bored—rather, it’s because they already had four hours of class this morning, and they had no time to break for lunch.

Go 100% or Go Home

Outdoor ESL Activities

Teaching English, especially to young learners, is the easiest (and strangely, the hardest) job you’ll ever have. I came to China with no experience—but I got my teaching certificate and was off to the races. Learning the very basic skills is no amazing feat, but the teachers who really stand are those who are really passionate about what they do. It’s one thing to see a teacher who’s technically good. But, a passionate teacher who knows how to handle a classroom, teach the content, and garner the respect and admiration of their students isn’t something you always see.

​Those teachers are the ones who win their students’ hearts and really make an impact with their classes. Passionate teachers will prepare lessons diligently, come in early to set-up, and aim to constantly improve their skills. Believe it or not, students know very well if you’re well-prepared of if you’re just going through the motions. Unfortunately, while there are many skilled and passionate teachers in China, there are many who are just here for fun, and view teaching as a minor inconvenience between trips to the pub.

Have Empathy

My students are always hard at work!

All students are different—some learn from doing, some from seeing, some from writing, and some from simply listening to you. In the classroom it’s important that you try and find out how each of your students learn, and how you can customize parts of your lesson to appeal to different types of learners. Everyone has a different background, a different skillset and a different potential. But you must make sure that during the lesson, you activate every single student’s interest in one way or another.

​For example, If you have students who cannot stay in their seat, use their energy to your advantage. I always have these kids pass out papers to other students, or come up and erase the board. Have students who won’t stop talking? Organize a debate. Have a student who isn’t doing their homework? Talk to their parents, and find a suitable solution together.​Also, understanding your students better can help you understand why they act the way they do. Is it because they are bored, because they do not want to learn, or simply because they do not understand the lesson? Try and think before you’re too harsh with discipline, because you may be surprised if you discover the root of the problem they’re having in class.

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​All of these things are characteristics I’ve noticed in some of the best ESL teachers in China. They’re all somehow related, and if I had to sum it all up in just a single sentence it would be this: Get to know your student and his/her background. It will profoundly change the way you think, the way you teach, and it’ll enhance the performance of the students.

About the Author

Mikkel is a Chongqing based teacher, blogger, and photographer. He has lived in China since 2010, and can be found blogging here, here, and here. ​